By Bulawayo Correspondent

PRO-MATEBELELAND opposition, Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) on Wednesday launched its “parliament” at a secret place after police violently disrupted their initial ceremony which had been set for the Large City Hall in Bulawayo.

Addressing journalists at the Bulawayo Media Centre on Friday, MRP leader Mqondisi Moyo said all the party’s 37 aspiring parliamentary candidates will automatically constitute a Mthwakazi parliament.

“On Wednesday, we successfully launched our Mthwakazi parliament after police initially blocked the launch,” he said, adding, “The role of parliament will be to address the issues of Mthwakazi such as marginalisation, gukurahundi atrocities and the importation of labour from other regions. Since Zimbabwe attained independence, people of Mthwakazi have not been truly represented.”

Moyo said the defiant party’s parliament will be running parallel to Zimbabwe’s legislative assembly set to be constituted after Monday’s elections.

The MRP leader also revealed that his party has set up an international lobby committee led by the party’s secretary for foreign affairs Njabulo Ngwenya.

“The role of the committee will be to market the party in the geo-political space as well as the international arena.

“We have constituted an inclusive international lobby committee led by our party’s secretary for foreign affairs, honourable Njabulo Ngwenya to engage with nations of this world on issues of the people of Mthwakazi. The committee will commence its duties by the 1st of September this year,” said Moyo.

The defiant opposition leader said his party was also planning to come up with a Mthwakazi Residents Association.

“This association will cover the whole of Mthwakazi including the rural areas. This association will champion the development of communities in both urban and rural areas,” he added.